Five tracks that blend the melodic taste inspired by Immolation and Morbid Angel with the steamroller Deicide-like rhythm section and with some Emperor‘s black metal ideas. The lyrics smell like blood, death and fear. Everything is wisely merged thanks to the mastery acquired from the veterans’ experience, who keep honoring the old school death metal with the new moniker CHARUN.
On paper it’s a debut EP but this definition is misleading: “Impending decline” is a heap of brutality that knows how to get to the ears and to the dark soul of the most demanding death metallers, also thanks to the Virus Recording Studio in Monteriggioni (SI) where these songs have been recorded, mixed and mastered.
“Impending decline” is available now via New Density Records in both physical and digital copy. Please contact the band or the label on their social media or via email to buy it.
Watch the EP teaser here. Watch the title track lyric video below.
Emerging in 2021 from the ashes of melo-death veterans Coram Lethe, CHARUN is an unrelenting fury of quintessential death metal brutality. Following the disbandment of their previous project, the trio of Francesco Miatto, Deimos and Simone Pirisi resolved to press forward, enlisting Mario Di Ceglie to continue their sonic incursion.
CHARUN is: Mario Di Ceglie – rhythm guitar, vocals (Violent Sun) Deimos – guitar (Dreadful Omen, Hellwrath, Coram Lethe, Handful of Hate, Surgery of Sorrow, Impherya) Simone Pirisi – bass guitar (Aberrancy, Das Fieber, Coram Lethe) Francesco Miatto – drums (Lachrima Christi, Coram Lethe)
“Birthright Abolished” is the new single & lyric video from Italy’s brutal tech-death masters, HOUR OF PENANCE. The track foreshadows the band’s ninth studio album “Devotion”, scheduled for release next week on April 5th via Agonia Records. Watch the lyric video, below.
On the new single, HOUR OF PENANCE commented: “«Birthright Abolished» is a song about taking back what has been stolen by the exploitation, slavery and oppression of the ruling class that has ravaged and polluted entire areas of the world for profit. We chose this song as the second single from «Devotion» because of its relentless speed and technicality, reminiscent of the «The Vile Conception» era, filtered through the influences of subsequent albums.”
The line-up for the new album comprises long-standing members Giulio Moschini (guitars), Paolo Pieri (vocals & guitars) and Marco Mastrobuono (bass), alongside young blood, Giacomo Torti (drums). The recordings took place at Bloom Studio and Kick Studio in Italy, with mixing and mastering handled at Hertz Studio (Vader, Decapitated, Behemoth) in Poland.
“Devotion is our anthem to the futility of war, with no light at the end of the tunnel,” the band comments. “The main theme of the album is the misguided devotion which we, the people, give to our leaders, who mercilessly send us to our deaths under the pretense of democracy; while being guided only by imperialist ambitions and greed. The faceless crowd of the artwork stands in worship of these deformed statues of false deities. Musically, the album builds on the 20-year-old, fast-paced trademark style of Hour of Penance, and enhances it with more technicality and catchiness, interspersed with epic landscapes.”
HOUR OF PENANCE has been consistent in crafting their sonic identity through a brand of complex, crushing and surgical death metal, which made them stand out as one of the most intense and talented representatives of the genre. Whilst tailored for hyper speeds and untamed brutality, the group doesn’t shy away from perceptive social metaphors in their dark imaginary and lyrics. Their energetic live show has led them to Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia, touring with the likes of Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Devildriver, Deicide, Nile or Behemoth.
Tracklisting: 1. Devotion for Tyranny 2. Parasitic Chain of Command 3. Birthright Abolished 4. Retaliate 5. Breathe the Dust of their Dead 6. The Morality of Warfare 7. Severance 8. The Ravenous Heralds 9. A Desert Called Peace 10. Spiralling into Decline
Tour dates: 30/10/2024: Barcelona – Sala Upload, ES 31/10/2024: Zaragoza – Sala Utopia, ES 01/11/2024: Portugalete – Estudios Groove. ES 02/11/2024: Oviedo – Sala Gong Galaxy, ES 03/11/2024: Madrid – Sala Silikona, ES — 17/05/2024: Birreria San Giorgio, Costabissara, IT 18/05/2024: Nice To Eat You Deathfest, CZ 01-02/06/2024: Grabbenacht Festival, DE
Line-up: Giulio Moschini – guitars Paolo Pieri – guitars and vocals Marco Mastrobuono – bass Giacomo Torti – drums
Swiss thrash metal powerhouse Comaniac is back with an adrenaline-fueled single that promises to ignite the ears of metal fans worldwide. “Desolation Manifest,” the latest offering from their acclaimed album “None For All,” is set to storm the airwaves with its raw energy and uncompromising intensity.
“Desolation Manifest” perfectly combines progressive thrash metal and a haunting chorus. The song takes you through the depths of a human psyche to reveal in an epic finale what remains when time determines your fate.
Formed in 2012, Swiss thrashers Comaniac gained acclaim with their self-released debut, “Return To The Wasteland,” crowned as “THE Thrash Highlight 2015.” The 2017 release, “Instruction For Destruction,” via SAOL, showcased growth, with tracks like “COAL” gaining international radio play and media attention.
Extensive touring ensued, supporting acts such as OVERKILL and METAL CHURCH. In 2018, they embarked on the “Kamikazee – The Spirit Of Japan” Tour, introducing a Japan Edition of their second offering through CAPTURED RECORDS. Following a 7-inch split with US outfit IRONFLAME and a 2019 European tour, 2020 brought their third album, “Holodox,” produced by Tommy Vetterli (CORONER), receiving critical acclaim.
In 2021, they toured Switzerland with BURNING WITCHES and played major metal festivals. The momentum continued in 2022, joining VEKTOR (USA) for the “Activate Europe 2022” Tour, performing 26 shows consecutively. Anticipation grew in 2023 with the announcement of their fourth studio album, “None For All,” and a deal with WORMHOLEDEATH. The album, set for a 2024 release, has already garnered attention from international magazines, praising it as their most mature work to date.
About the Album: “None For All” addresses and criticizes the imbalance of empathy and indifference in society. Between structure and chaos, hope and resignation, nine songs make you think individually, socially, and politically.
Chilean metal extremists ATER have revealed an utterly brutal new single today titled “Descending,” accompanied by an unsettling, nightmarish video created by Wizardhead (Meshuggah). The track appears on the band’s highly anticipated and sophomore album, ‘Somber,” that’s out April 19th from Torque Records.
ATER’s most technical and heaviest song of their catalog, “Descending,” takes listeners on a dark journey, immersing them in a deep, haunting sound that blends dense ambience and raw sonic power.
ATER’s founding vocalist/bassist Fernando Bühring comments about the song:
‘’Descending is one of the more straightforward songs in the album and, to me, the darkest song ofthebunch. ThelyricsforthissongareverypersonalandIwrotethemduringa very dark period of my life. It turned out to be one of my favorite songs in the new album. It was chosen as the second single in advance of ’Somber’ because it contrastswiththefirstsingle‘IgnisImmortalis’,whichisalonger,epicsong. ‘Descending’ is shorter and to the point. It will take you to the dark side of your own self right away.’’
Speaking about the video Bühring says:
‘I personally really enjoy when music videos are an artistic interpretation of the song they are portraying rather than the typical band-in-a-room approach. I always liked stop-motion, animations and more cinematic approaches to music videos. Back in November of 2022 the video for ‘They Move Below’ by Meshuggah came out and I was blown away. At the time not very aware of how AI was making its way into polemics in the art and music industries. I honestly still do not care.
I approached Wizardhead with the idea of him doing a video for ‘Descending’ and he started to work shortly after. During this time I learned more about the creation process and realized that AI is just another tool. To get something out of the AI engines, the artist has to input data, images, footage and whatever else it may require to create their vision, then manipulate the engine to refine their work and sculpt it into the primary vision. The artist is still doing art. Just a different and new set of tools.”
Wizardhead adds:
“When I listened to ‘Descending,’ with my eyes closed, I witness a continuum of souls being pulled down into a place of remoteness and hopeless submission to some kind of unrelenting force manipulating and consuming them. Something beyond hell, more alien and incomprehensible. I explored representing a visitation of this place in many attempts, by assembling structures like tunnels and fractal spaces, then applying diffusion approaches to embed faces and body forms into the walls and shapes of the environment. I also wanted constant motion, swirling and undulating, to imply this is an active and conscious experience for the unfortunate denizens. This final version is one I feel deeply connected to and unsettled by, and I hope it becomes a place for others to visit and contemplate again and again as I do.“
The South American band’s follow-up to 2018’s ‘Eternal Gray Spiral,’ is a cataclysmic melding of black, death, progressive and thrashing groove for one of the year’s devastating heavy metal records.
Drowning Pool, the iconic heavy metal band known for their electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, is thrilled to announce the SNAFU Le Tour 2024, in collaboration with Saliva. This tour promises to be an adrenaline-fueled journey, featuring Drowning Pool’s dynamic return with lead singer Ryan McCombs and the release of brand new music.
The tour will be joined by Any Given Sin in April and Above Snakes in May. Alien Ant Farm, the multi-platinum alternative rock band, will make special appearances on May 14th and 15th, bringing their infectious energy and fan-favorite hits to these two dates of the tour.
Each band will be conducting their own on-site VIP prior to doors. These VIPs will be sold on a separate platform and WILL NOT include a ticket to the show. All VIPs will need to purchase a show ticket for entrance.
All Drowning Pool Tour Dates:
APRIL 4 Joliet, IL @The Forge 5 Belvidere, IL @Apollo Theatre 6 Bowler, WI @North Star 7 Bloomington, IL @Castle Theatre 9 Beaver Dam, WI @Stormy’s Music Venue 10 Fargo, ND @Sanctuary Event Center 11 Sioux Falls, SD @The Alliance 12 Dubuque, IA @Diamond Jo Casino 13 Wichita, KS @The Crown Uptown 14 Pineville, MO @The Pines Distillery 16 St. Louis, MO @Red Flag
MAY 10 Myrtle Beach, SD @Suck Bang Blow 12 Daytona, FL @Welcome to Rockville 14 Nashville, TN @Basement East 15 Indianapolis, IN @The Vogue 16 Columbus, OH @Sonic Temple 17 Shroudsberg, PA @Sherman Lite 21 Ft. Wayne, IN @Pierre’s 23 Col. Springs, CO @Sunshine Studios 24 Salt Lake City, UT @Grand Complex 25 Winnemucca, NV @Runamucca Bike Rally 26 Reno, NV @VA Street Brewhouse 28 Billings, MT @Pub Station 29 Great Falls, MT @The Newberry 30 Deadwood, SD @Deadwood Mt Grand 31 Denver, CO @Wild Goose Saloon
JUNE 1 Grand Island, NE @Filling Station 15 Dallas, TX @Studio at the Factory 21 Milwaukee, WI @Summerfest 22 Quincy, IL @Gem City Summer Con 29 Hot Springs, AR @Magic Springs
JULY 5 Algona, IA @ABATE Freedom Rally 13 Gettysburg, PA @Bike Week 19 Cumberland, MD @Rock the Mountains 20 Grand Rapids, MI @Upheaval 27 Menahga, MN @Mid Summer Music Fest
SEPTEMBER 26 Louisville, KY @Louder Than Life
OCTOBER 10 Sacramento, CA @Aftershock
Drowning Pool, a name etched in the annals of modern rock history, roars back into the spotlight with thunderous energy and uncompromising power. The band’s unmistakable sound, synonymous with raw energy and unapologetic attitude, returns to captivate audiences once again.
Known for their iconic anthem “Bodies,” Drowning Pool needs no introduction. This breakout single propelled them to international recognition, leaving an indelible mark on the nu metal landscape. The song’s relentless energy and defiant spirit resonated with a generation, becoming an anthem for moshers, metalheads, and fans of electrifying live performances.
Ryan McCombs played a pivotal role in the band’s evolution, joining their ranks in the aftermath of the tragic loss of beloved frontman Dave Williams. His powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence breathed new life into Drowning Pool, solidifying their status as metal titans. Songs like “37 Stitches,” “Feel Like I Do,” and “Turn So Cold” catapulted them to new heights, earning them a place among the genre’s heavyweights.
Yet, Drowning Pool’s story is not just about music; it’s a testament to enduring friendships and a shared passion for their craft. Ryan’s return to the band in 2023 marks a reunion of kindred spirits, a return to the roots of their musical journey. As he succinctly puts it, “Just being back in the same room together after so many years… was a quick reminder as to why I considered them to be my best friends in the business back in the day.”
Their path has not been without its challenges. “Bodies” faced misinterpretations and controversy, with its lyrics taken out of context. Nevertheless, their music has persisted, embraced by the very culture that birthed it. “Bodies” remains an enduring anthem, not just for Drowning Pool but for metal culture as a whole. Its legacy lives on, inspiring new generations of fans. Guitarist C.J. Pierce captures the essence of their dedication: “I’d play ‘Bodies’ five times a night if people really wanted it that bad!” The song’s timeless appeal transcends generations, resonating with both the seasoned and the fresh-faced.
Drowning Pool’s return is a testament to the enduring power of their music, a reminder that their unapologetic spirit continues to strike chords with audiences worldwide. The band experienced a triumphant resurgence in 2023 and with new music on the horizon, a 2024/25 calendar proving that the demand for the band isn’t about to slow down.., Drowning Pool has a white knuckle grip on their present and future with no plans to slow down.
“Cor” is the second release by Black Metal project ULTIO, and it will be released via Brucia Records on May 23rd, 2024 on digital and a limited run of 6 panels Digipack CDs.
The track “The Grey Inferno” is now streaming HERE.
5 years exactly after its first EP “Fera”, ULTIO is back with yet another relentless slab of pure, abrasive Black Metal. An emotionally shattering experience crafted with the intent of re-evoking a time when Black Metal was simply Black Metal – dark, menacing, uncomplicated and extreme.
Ultio is a project by Giorgio Barroccu (DERHEAD) and “Cor” can be considered like the twistedly demented brother of “The Grey Zone Phobia”, DERHEAD’s latest album released back in March 2023.
Another side of the same, dark coin – ULTIO shares DERHEAD’s very same dramatic tension and despair, however showcasing here a magnificently unrestrained and raw soul: behind a gloomy wall of freezingly cold riffs and shrieking screams ULTIO ascends maniacally, building a sense of impending peril and oppression – dissonance after dissonance.
Similarly to the previous EP, the writing and recording process of “Cor” was also very instinctive and took place in the space of only a few weeks: the result is something furious and unhinged, raw and visceral – and yet, somehow, grandiose and triumphant in all its bestial savagery.
FFO: Marduk, Funeral Mist, Gorgoroth.
Tracklist:
1 – Spikes (04:21) 2 – The Grey Inferno (05:14) 3 – Wretchedness (04:43) 4 – A Thousand Times More (05:16) 5 – Looking For Eyes (05:19) 6 – Cor (06:02)
Credits:
Written and performed by Giorgio Barroccu Recorded, mixed and mastered by Giorgio Barroccu Artwork by Giorgio Barroccu Layout and artistic supervision by Evokaos (Brucia Records)
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 